so in my interest in strange and wonderful stuff i picked up a translation of what is known as "the Greek Magical Papyri" which also includes translations of some demotic and coptic magical papyri. it is known as a collection of spells which have been compiled from various authors and is considered to come from a tradition of working magicians amongst folk as opposed to the priestly magic associated with temples and mystery traditions.

one of the most interesting things about it (other then a creepy ammount of very specific and severe love spells) is that its pretty common to find the one spell reference abrasax, adonai, helios, osiris, among other various gods from completely different traditions in the exact same spell, sometimes even in the same sentence, detailing something recited or inscribed on an object.

this leads me to think that there are many differences in how these gods, traditions, and spiritual theories were treated when this was written compared to modern times, where a christian performing an appeal to god in the form of prayer, sticks with exclusively christian themes, symbols, and words.

so exactly how different was the conception of religion and spirituality when comparing this 'classical world' to the modern one.